Dietrich Bonhoeffers Prison Poems

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Edwin Robertson (Translator)

This book contains the powerful, personal, and deeply moving poetry written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the most important Christian writers and martyrs of the century.

Genres: Poetry

Hardcover

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Protestant theologian of Germany, concern Christianity in the modern world; for his role in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, people executed him.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer served as a Lutheran pastor. He, also a participant in the movement of Resistance against Nazism and a member, founded the confessing church. Members of the Abwehr, the military intelligence office planned his involvement, which resulted in his arrest in April 1943 and his subsequent hanging in April 1945 shortly before the end of the war. His secular view influenced very many people.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietric...

Reviews

[Stephanie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my heroes - Bonhoeffer writes vulnerable, honest poems from prison awaiting his execution for an attempted assignation coup against Hitler, and he holds nothing back from his depression, despair, loneliness, and yet profound hope that he, like Moses, will never see the fruit of his labors, but knowing that he gave his life to make a difference in correcting the evil of this world. The translator also does a phenomenal job at giving the history and backdrop of each poem - who Bonhoeffer was writing to, what was happening in his life, and his responses to some of the readings people gave him to read in prison, most notably Dostoevsky's Notes from the Underground. Seeing this man who is so huge in his Christian faith struggle with his own weak, human condition is so poignant, and you enter into the mind of this outstanding martyr at his most desperate, difficult moments. Bonhoeffer has held such a great influence on me over the years, and these poems simply cemented his greatness as a man who never sacrificed his convictions for his own physical comfort. Too bad he never lived to see the end of WWII, but like Moses, he will go down as an incredible prophet, pastor, spy, and martyr. He lived what he believed:

"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless.
Not to speak is to speak.
Not to act is to act."

[Drick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was given to me by a friend after I had spent a night in jail for a civil disobedience action. Having had that experience, which for me was traumatic and lonely, I was deeply impressed by the faith and connections with friends and loved ones expressed in these poems. Using Scriputre as an allusion to his own struggles, Bonhoeffer's poems show a deeply personal side to the man. Robertsons's translations are clear and his commentary helpful in setting the poems in both an historical and personal context.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gem of a book that couples Bonhoeffers's poems with insightful commentery. Brings the time, place and sinificance of each verse into pellucidity.

[LMS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful.

[Kiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of poems during the dark period of imprisonment by Bonhoeffer, with very helpful commentary and translation notes after ten poems, this is a serious, dark, timeless, and hopeful collection of words. What would any man ponder being imprisoned by Nazi’s, likely awaiting death, and for being a part of a failed assassination effort against one of the most infamous symbols of evil in our time? Bonhoeffer took up themes from scripture, and reflected on loss, failure, friendship, death, freedom and hope. Not the most elegant poems, but the translation with notes are insightful and deepen the English reader’s appreciation for the art within each poem. I particularly enjoyed “The Death of Moses” which he concluded with, “Hold, support me, I lose my stave, faithful God, prepare me for my grave.” 126 pages of deep and artful reflection on only the most important themes life has to offer.

[Danielle Routh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I... did not enjoy this. I can think of several logical reasons why: reading the poems in a translated language, not knowing a lot about Bonhoeffer beforehand, recognizing that his strength is elsewhere in literature. This may be a contested view, but I feel that a quality poem should be able to stand by itself and be enjoyed by itself without needing the background context to explain why it's important or poignant. And frankly, maybe two of the poems in this book fit that criteria. I do wish I could read the Moses poem in German because the English version is rather painful.

No disrespect to Bonhoeffer. I suppose I thought I could read this without a larger context of his life.

[Jillian Gilbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good, albeit small, collection of Bonhoeffer’s poems along with commentary. I really appreciated Robertson’s brief yet thorough remarks about the translations and their meanings.